The Best States for Special Education

Across the country, millions of students rely on special education services, but the quality of support, access to resources, and family experience vary greatly depending on where they live. To understand which states are doing the most to help students with disabilities succeed, BlazerWorks analyzed data from education and health agencies nationwide to develop the State of Special Education Index, a comprehensive look at how well each state supports students with special needs.

The results highlight both encouraging progress and areas still in need of improvement. While states like Vermont, North Carolina, and Maine stand out for inclusive programming and strong student outcomes, the data shows that many states still face challenges in providing equitable access to early intervention, therapy services, and individualized education plans (IEPs).

Measuring Special Education Support, Quality, and Outcomes

The State of Special Education Index evaluates how effectively states serve students with disabilities and related learning or developmental conditions. Each state was scored across ten equally weighted factors that measure the strength of student support systems, staff infrastructure, academic and social outcomes, and family satisfaction. Data were sourced from nationally recognized organizations, including the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the Health Resources and Services Administration, reflecting the most recent findings.

Key Indicators included:

Student support services spending and staffing levels
Graduation rates for students with disabilities
Early intervention plan access
Therapy availability and quality
Academic success and peer relationships
Parent satisfaction with care coordination

Together, these factors offer a holistic view of how each state is supporting the social, emotional, and academic development of students with special needs.

Key Findings: The Top 5 States for Special Education

Vermont — Vermont ranks #1 nationally for special education, excelling across nearly every category of support and inclusion. The state dedicates a substantial 8.01% of public school spending to student support services—the seventh highest in the nation—and employs the country’s fifth largest ratio of support staff (10.84% of total school personnel).
- Extracurricular Inclusion: 78.8% of children with special needs participate in organized activities (4th nationally).
- Peer Relationships: 53.4% of children with learning disabilities or developmental conditions report no difficulty maintaining friendships (5th).
- Academic Success: 40.2% of students with developmental or learning conditions earn mostly A’s and B’s (9th).
- Early Intervention Plans: 50.5% of children with conditions—including ADHD, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and learning disabilities—receive special education or early intervention support in school (9th).
North Carolina — North Carolina ranks #2 overall for its high rates of individualized education plans (IEPs) and future workforce readiness. The state provides early educational support to 52.6% of students with learning or developmental challenges, ranking fourth nationally, and is among the top states for special education teacher employment growth (+6.9%), suggesting strong future capacity to meet rising student needs.
- Therapy Access: 34.5% of students with special needs receive the speech, occupational, or physical therapy they need (12th).
- Extracurricular Inclusion: 73.3% of children with special needs involved in activities outside of class (13th).
- Peer Relationships: 51.3% of students with mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral conditions report ease in making or keeping friends (16th).
Maine — Maine ranks #3 nationwide, performing exceptionally well in staffing, therapy services, and academic outcomes. The state employs the third-highest proportions of student support staff in the U.S. (12.06%), ensuring that critical professionals such as school psychologists, social workers, and speech pathologists are accessible to students.
- Therapy Access: 37.1% of students with special needs receive necessary therapies (5th).
- Academic Success: 41.4% of students with developmental or learning conditions earn mostly A’s and B’s (6th).
- Early Intervention: 50.5% of students with developmental or learning challenges receive the special education or intervention plans they need (9th).
- Extracurricular Inclusion: 74.3% of children with special needs participate in extracurricular activities alongside peers (11th).
- Graduation Rate: 73% of students with disabilities complete high school (15th).
Massachusetts — Massachusetts ranks #4, reflecting its long-standing reputation for excellence in public education paired with strong special education infrastructure. The state dedicates 8.05% of total public education funds to student support services (6th nationally) and maintains one of the highest graduation rates for students with disabilities (78%).
- Therapy Access: 36.8% of students with conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and other learning disabilities receive therapies that meet developmental needs (6th).
- Academic Success: 40.4% of students with developmental or learning conditions achieve mostly A’s and B’s (9th).
- Employment Outlook: Special education teacher employment projected to grow by 8.8% through 2032.
- Peer Relationships: 51.8% of students with learning disabilities or developmental conditions report no difficulty maintaining friendships (12th).
Texas — Texas rounds out the top five with exceptional academic and graduation outcomes for students with special needs. It ranks 1st in the nation for academic performance, with 47.7% of students with mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral conditions earning mostly A’s and B’s, and maintains a 79.1% graduation rate—the sixth highest nationally.
- Employment Growth: Special education teacher employment projected to rise 11.5%, ensuring long-term program strength.
- Peer Relationships: 52.8% of students with developmental or learning conditions report ease in making and maintaining friendships (7th).
- Early Intervention: Nearly half (49.2%) of students with learning conditions receive tailored education plans (13th).

Special Education Mapped: How States Compare

Rank	State	Total Score
1	Vermont	69.69
2	North Carolina	62.87
3	Maine	62.80
4	Massachusetts	62.16
5	Texas	58.87
6	Oklahoma	58.66
7	Ohio	58.48
8	Connecticut	58.28
9	New Hampshire	57.86
10	South Dakota	56.69
11	Hawaii	56.32
12	Delaware	54.94
13	Pennsylvania	54.91
14	Georgia	54.61
15	Virginia	54.02
16	Kansas	53.57
17	New Mexico	53.21
18	Florida	53.21
19	Colorado	50.46
20	Arkansas	50.31
21	Illinois	50.26
22	West Virginia	50.19
23	Alabama	50.12
24	Montana	49.96
25	Michigan	49.58
26	Minnesota	49.48
27	Indiana	48.73
28	Missouri	48.20
29	Wisconsin	47.03
30	Iowa	46.11
31	South Carolina	45.08
32	Nebraska	44.84
33	Wyoming	44.24
34	Oregon	44.21
35	California	43.79
36	Louisiana	43.43
37	Tennessee	42.31
38	Rhode Island	41.82
39	Mississippi	41.70
40	Maryland	41.06
41	Kentucky	40.78
42	Arizona	40.73
43	North Dakota	40.73
44	Utah	40.58
45	New York	40.36
46	New Jersey	39.09
47	Alaska	38.44
48	Idaho	37.78
49	Washington	33.12
50	Nevada	30.54

Supporting Every Learner

The State of Special Education Index highlights that meaningful progress is happening. States like Vermont, North Carolina, and Maine are setting the bar for inclusion and quality care, while others are working to build stronger foundations.

When students with disabilities receive the right combination of tools—like early intervention, academic flexibility, and access to emotional and developmental support—they have the ability to thrive both inside the classroom and beyond their academic years. The data shows that states with specialized staff and integrated health services see higher grades, better graduation rates, and greater family satisfaction.

At BlazerWorks, we believe every student deserves to reach their full potential. We’re proud to partner with schools across the country to close these gaps, helping educators and districts deliver exceptional support for students with diverse learning needs. Discover how we empower schools with the specialized professionals and resources that help every student reach their full potential here, and explore our additional resources on special education insights.

Methodology

To identify the best U.S. states for special education services and student outcomes, this index analyzed multiple data points reflecting access, quality, support, and family experience. Each factor was selected to represent a key dimension of a state’s ability to meet the needs of students receiving special education or related services. Data was collected from nationally recognized sources, including the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), and the U.S. Department of Labor.

Each state was scored across ten weighted factors, with equal emphasis placed on student support systems, educational outcomes, staffing and infrastructure, and family satisfaction measures. Scores for each factor were normalized on a 0–10 scale, with higher scores representing stronger performance or more positive outcomes. The combined average of these normalized scores determined each state’s final ranking.

Sources & Data Points

Student Support Services Spending: Percentage of total public school expenditures allocated to student support services, including attendance and social work, guidance, health, psychological services, speech pathology, audiology, and related supports (2020–21).; U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data (CCD).
Graduation Rate for Students with Disabilities: Public high school four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR) for students with disabilities (2021–22). New Mexico and Oklahoma use 2020–21 data, and Hawaii uses 2018–19 as the most recent available year.; U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data (CCD).
Student Support Staff: Percentage of student support staff—including health providers, social workers, psychologists, attendance officers, and speech pathologists—out of total school staff employed in public elementary and secondary schools (Fall 2022).; U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data (CCD).
Special Education Teacher Long-Term Employment Projection: Percent change in projected employment for kindergarten and elementary school special education teachers between 2022 and 2032.; The Projections Managing Partnership (PMP), funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration, with technical support from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Extracurricular Involvement for Children with Special Health Care Needs: Percentage of children ages 6–17 with special health care needs—such as requirements for prescription medication, specialized therapies, or mental/emotional support—who participated in organized activities or lessons outside of school within the past 12 months (2022–23).; National Survey of Children’s Health, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
School Intervention Plans Provided: Percentage of children ages 6–17 with mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral conditions—including ADHD, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disabilities, and related conditions—who received a special education or early intervention plan in school (2022–23).; National Survey of Children’s Health, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
Friendships and Social Skills Development: Percentage of children ages 6–17 with mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral conditions reporting no difficulty making or keeping friends (2022–23).; National Survey of Children’s Health, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
Academic Success (Good Grades): Percentage of students ages 12–17 with mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral conditions who reported receiving mostly A’s and B’s across all subjects during the 2022–23 school year.; National Survey of Children’s Health, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
Therapy Services Availability: Percentage of children with mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral conditions receiving speech, occupational, physical, behavioral, or other therapy services that meet their developmental needs (2022–23).; National Survey of Children’s Health, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
Parent Satisfaction with Care Plan Communication: Percentage of parents of children with special needs who reported being “very satisfied” with communication between their child’s doctors and their school or special education program (2022–23).; National Survey of Children’s Health, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau.